Mompou composed a set of 12 preludes, but only 10 were published in his lifetime. They were divided into two books - the first published in 1930 and the second one in 1952. These two preludes that I play here were finally published in 2004. The first is yet another piece dedicated to Alicia de Larrocha on the occasion of her wedding in 1950. She premiered the piece but Mompou wasn't quite satisfied with the composition because he made some changes on one line (about four bars...if there were bars...which there aren't). According to the text in my book, When the pianist queried him as to which of the two versions she should play, the composer joked, 'one on weekends, the other on weekdays." My book shows both versions and so to make a kind of compromise, I played one version on the first time around and then the second version on the repeat. Hope that's okay....

Anyway, no.11 Prelude is short and sweet, and no. 12 is much darker. Both sound undeniably like Mompou, which is why I like them so much!

They sound clearly and expressively played to me, though I can´t judge it too well, because I only could find the preludes no. 1-10, not no. 11-12, even not on imslp. So while listening without score I can say, that they sound interesting and nicely played. I have enjoyed them very much.

Thank you for listening and the kind words, Andreas and David. The score for these two pieces cannot be found on the Internet. I had to buy it from an oversees publisher who charged around $22 for only five pages of music....plus tax and shipping. I didn't even buy the music for myself, but alas the only way I would hear it was to play it myself.

_________________"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties." ~ Frederic Chopin

Ordering music from Europe, when it's the last resort, can be VERY expensive. A few years ago, I ordered some sheet music of York Bowen that absolutely could not be found anywhere here in the U.S. (Today it's available here through Sheetmusicplus.) So I contacted by email the publisher's American distributor at the time in Atlanta, Georgia. The manager there was very kind and called me on the phone. He explained that the sheet music itself and shipping and handling from the UK would be about $70.00 and asked if I still wanted to proceed. When I said no, he fully understood and was glad he called, as was I.

David

_________________"Interpreting music means exploring the promise of the potential of possibilities." David April

Very fine playing, there does not seem anything that needs to be improved. One infinitesimal niggle I noticed is that in bars like bar 3 of no.12, where a long note needs to sound, you come in (slightly) early after that. Some of these bars fare better than others. I notice this because I have/had exactly the same 'problem', as well as I heard it with others here. The longer the note, the more urgent the need to continue prematurely. Somehow it seems important to count these beats and give these notes their full due. This is something one learns the hard way playing church services.

I printed these two out when you sent them to me (thanks once more) and started on them, to complete my not-so-complete set. But somehow they gravitead to the bottom of the pile, not sure why. Now there does not seem an urge to do them - actually to be honest I like nos. 1-10 better. I will remove my 'complete set' header. Or, we could share the honors in the 'complete set' header if you want.

Ordering music from Europe, when it's the last resort, can be VERY expensive. A few years ago, I ordered some sheet music of York Bowen that absolutely could not be found anywhere here in the U.S. (Today it's available here through Sheetmusicplus.) So I contacted by email the publisher's American distributor at the time in Atlanta, Georgia. The manager there was very kind and called me on the phone. He explained that the sheet music itself and shipping and handling from the UK would be about $70.00 and asked if I still wanted to proceed. When I said no, he fully understood and was glad he called, as was I.

David

It works the other way round too and maybe harder, as some local shops will simply say that it is not possible to order. Some months ago I wanted to buy the sheet music of a piece by a living composer and I had to contact a dealer in the UK and to pay an appropriate price.

_________________Richard Willmer"Please do not shoot the pianistHe is doing his best."Oscar Wilde: Impressions of America: Leadville

He explained that the sheet music itself and shipping and handling from the UK would be about $70.00 and asked if I still wanted to proceed. When I said no, he fully understood and was glad he called, as was I.

Wow, $70 for one book…Zoinks! (as George would say…) I paid a lot for some Granados books that came from Spain, but I don't remember exactly how much.

musicusblau wrote:

So, Monica and David, if you need some special music sheets from Europe, I can try to help you next time somehow...

That’s very kind of you, Andreas! I’ll keep that in mind. And don’t hesitate to ask me if there is something I can do for you!

techneut wrote:

One infinitesimal niggle I noticed is that in bars like bar 3 of no.12, where a long note needs to sound, you come in (slightly) early after that.

I never really noticed that I come in a teeny bit early sometimes. Thanks for pointing that out – I will pay attention to it next time.

techneut wrote:

I printed these two out when you sent them to me (thanks once more) and started on them, to complete my not-so-complete set. But somehow they gravitead to the bottom of the pile, not sure why. Now there does not seem an urge to do them - actually to be honest I like nos. 1-10 better. I will remove my 'complete set' header. Or, we could share the honors in the 'complete set' header if you want.

I was straightening up a cabinet recently and found this book, blew the dust off it, and put it on my piano. Both pieces aren’t that long or hard, so I learned them pretty quickly. That’s when I started thinking about you. But then I figured that I simply must have underestimated the importance I thought this score would mean to you and that you weren’t that interested since all this time has passed (I reminded you twice), and well…you know with everything else… I just felt that I wanted the music to get added to our archive so I recorded it. I always like when we have multiple members making a complete set, so I’d happy to share this particular ‘complete set’ table with you. But I only recorded two pieces to your ten, so I will leave the decision to you….

_________________"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties." ~ Frederic Chopin

Very good, Monica. I won't say very nice, because #12 spooked me out a little. It was like a sound track to some postwar "cinema verite". ("There are 8 million stories in the Naked City; this is one of them." But then you're too young to know what that was. )

Wow; I can't imagine paying so much for sheet music. Lately, I've been doing only works that are already in my library or are old enough to be public domain and on the web.

Thank you, Stu. I just looked up "8 million stories...". You're right, it's a little before my time. But this no. 12 is nothing scary compared to the piece I just started working on yesterday. Talk about scary!!! I'm going to save it for Halloween time...

_________________"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties." ~ Frederic Chopin

Bear in mind that when you, Andreas, buy in Germany, you pay Value Added Tax (TAx), while if you, David, buy and it is shipped to you by the dealer, the VAT is deducted, so that in the end you pay less than you would if a resident buys it.

_________________Richard Willmer"Please do not shoot the pianistHe is doing his best."Oscar Wilde: Impressions of America: Leadville

I always like when we have multiple members making a complete set, so I’d happy to share this particular ‘complete set’ table with you. But I only recorded two pieces to your ten, so I will leave the decision to you….

Thank you, Joachim. No. 12 is quite dark. I hope you were already in a 'dark' mood, and that it wasn't my playing that put you into a bad mood...

Thank you, Jonathan. Interesting what you say about Mompou's sweetness. His harmonies are sometimes so complex, yet when you string everything together, it sounds nice (and sweet). Except when he gets dark. But even then, it sounds like him and so it's good.

_________________"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties." ~ Frederic Chopin

Wow. Really liked Prelude 11. Made me think of sitting around with a bunch of my old friends, drinking a glass of wine and enjoying a quiet evening of conversation. Prelude 12 on the other hand - a little bit tense. I enjoyed listening to it...or perhaps "enjoyed" is the wrong word. At any rate, it was an effective (to my mind) performance as it created a reaction in me. I will be sharing this recording with my friend who is an independent film-maker to get her reaction. I think she will be blown away.

Hi Monica,Wow. Really liked Prelude 11. Made me think of sitting around with a bunch of my old friends, drinking a glass of wine and enjoying a quiet evening of conversation. Prelude 12 on the other hand - a little bit tense. I enjoyed listening to it...or perhaps "enjoyed" is the wrong word. At any rate, it was an effective (to my mind) performance as it created a reaction in me. I will be sharing this recording with my friend who is an independent film-maker to get her reaction. I think she will be blown away.

Hi David, it's nice to see you again! That's interesting...I like learning what people think of when they hear certain music. I hope your friend likes this music too!

_________________"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties." ~ Frederic Chopin

Just heard back from my filmmaker friend on Prelude 12. She agrees with the "tense, creepy" assessment. She also said "i like it! im sure i could use this somewhere down the line " I may have to put her in touch with you to record for her at some point

Hello Monica,I've just heard your two preludes. Beautiful pieces, especially #12 which sounds more modern and post-tonal that I would have expected for Mompou (but I'm far to have a good knowledge of this composer). Thanks a lot for this very classy and noble interpretation !

The Prelude No.11 was very interesting. The pacing was great, the consistency of themelodic line was really focused and well expressed. The inner harmonies were emotionallysatisfying. Thank you for sharing such a well thought out performance. The piece stayed withme after hearing it.

The Cantabile has that 20th century mood of gloom melded with a romanticism with illusionstowards hope. You did a beautiful job conveying both sides of this piece and the resolutions anddissonance were both executed with meaning. The dynamics were truly effective. CongratulationsMonica. Your playing also sounded rich, especially in the Prelude No. 12.

Thank you for listening and the kind words, Andreas and David. The score for these two pieces cannot be found on the Internet. I had to buy it from an oversees publisher who charged around $22 for only five pages of music....plus tax and shipping. I didn't even buy the music for myself, but alas the only way I would hear it was to play it myself.

Can someone please tell me who sells the sheet music to Mompou's 11th and 12th Preludes? No one online seems to offer these for sale and no copies are available in my local university music libraries (Dallas area). I already have Preludes 1-10, but hunting down the music to the last two has been very frustrating.

Thank you for listening and the kind words, Andreas and David. The score for these two pieces cannot be found on the Internet. I had to buy it from an oversees publisher who charged around $22 for only five pages of music....plus tax and shipping. I didn't even buy the music for myself, but alas the only way I would hear it was to play it myself.

Can someone please tell me who sells the sheet music to Mompou's 11th and 12th Preludes? No one online seems to offer these for sale and no copies are available in my local university music libraries (Dallas area). I already have Preludes 1-10, but hunting down the music to the last two has been very frustrating.

Well, as you can see in my earlier post, I found the preludes.

_________________"Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties." ~ Frederic Chopin

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], Yahoo [Bot] and 1 guest

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum